Federal Election 2025: Beaches-East York Conservative candidate Jocelyne Poirier answers our questions

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beach Metro Community News sent these questions to the federal candidates in Beaches-East York. Not all candidates responded by our deadline. Candidates were asked to keep their responses to approximately 300 words. Please visit our website at www.beachmetro.com for more information on the candidates.)

QUESTION 1: Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself and why you are running in this election?
 
Born and raised in east-end Toronto, and a proud Beaches-East York resident, I’m committed to honesty, compassion, and hard work.

I’m also a Chartered Professional Accountant with nearly a decade of experience helping organizations navigate change, manage risk, and get the most value out of every dollar. These are skills I believe are urgently needed in government today.

Outside of my professional work, I’m an award-winning community leader and lifelong volunteer — from my early days as a Girl Guide to leading philanthropic efforts, I’ve supported causes helping poverty reduction, youth, seniors, medical illness detection and treatment, and the environment, just to name a few. I’ve always believed in giving back and building strong, resilient communities.

I’m running because I believe Canadians deserve better. A future where hard work is rewarded. Where young people can afford to live in the neighbourhoods they grew up in. Where families don’t have to choose between rent and groceries.

I’ve spoken to a countless number of residents who feel like life keeps getting harder, while government offers no real solutions.

Canada is an incredible country — rich in resources, talent, and heart. But we’re not living up to our potential. I want to bring common-sense, results-driven leadership to Ottawa — grounded in fiscal responsibility and compassion. We need bold ideas and collaborative action to restore hope, affordability, and confidence in our future.

This election is about more than party lines — it’s about improving the quality of life for everyday Canadians, especially here in Beaches-East York. I’m ready to serve with strength, humility, and purpose — and to be a strong local voice fighting for the change we need.

QUESTION 2: Why is your party and your party leader the best one to deal with the threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, and how will your party support Canadians impacted by tariffs and other American policies towards Canada?

First, we must ask — why is Canada so vulnerable in the first place? After nearly a decade of Liberal policies that blocked energy development, increased taxes, and ignored economic self-reliance, we now face the consequences: higher costs, weakened supply chains, and a reliance on unstable trade relationships.

Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party have a plan to restore strength, independence, and clarity in how we engage with the U.S., especially in the face of Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Our approach starts at home — with a focus on economic resilience and energy security.

We’ll cut income taxes by 15 per cent, eliminate the industrial carbon tax, lower taxes for capital gains that are reinvested in Canada, and remove the GST on new homes under $1.3 million. These changes will ease the burden on families, encourage investment in our economy, and help retain talent by making Canada a more attractive place to live, work, and build a future.

To reduce dependence on foreign energy and trade, we’ll build a Canada First Energy Corridor from coast to coast, approved in partnership with Indigenous communities, to ensure we get our resources to market. We’ll also eliminate sales tax on cars made in Canada and support manufacturing and agriculture sectors vulnerable to U.S. tariffs.

The “Keep Canadians Working Fund” will help protect jobs during trade disruptions, while we pursue trade diversification to avoid overreliance on any one partner.

Canada must lead with confidence, protect our sovereignty, and defend our economic interests without backing down. Poilievre will always put Canadian workers and industries first, while maintaining strategic and respectful international relationships.

This is about restoring strength at home so we can stand tall on the world stage — and ensure Canadians are never again this exposed to external pressures beyond our control.

QUESTION 3: Beyond Canada’s relationship with the United States, what do you see as the next most important issue in this election and how will you and your party address it?

The number one issue I hear about in Beaches-East York is affordability.

People are struggling to keep up — rent is up, groceries are expensive, and mortgage payments are crushing families. Many young people feel they’ll never be able to own a home, and seniors are stretching every dollar. This is not the Canada we grew up believing in.

The Conservative Party has a real plan to make life more affordable. We’ll cut income taxes by 15 per cent, axe the industrial carbon tax (a major driver of food and fuel prices), and eliminate the GST on new homes under $1.3 million. We’ll reduce capital gains taxes and allow reinvestment in Canada without penalty — helping people build wealth here at home.

For working seniors, we’ll lower their taxes, allow continued RRSP contributions up to age 73, and protect benefits like CPP, OAS, and GIS.

We’ll reward municipalities that build more housing and reduce red tape to get homes built faster. As your MP, I’ll work to ensure that new developments come with proper infrastructure — including healthcare, education, and transit access — so communities grow responsibly.

Affordability is intersectional with safety and well-being. We’ll fix Canada’s broken bail system, support addiction recovery programs, and invest in safer streets — because people deserve to feel secure where they live.

This isn’t just a federal issue. It’s local, it’s personal, and it’s urgent. I want to help restore affordability and hope in our community — so families can thrive, young people can dream big, and seniors can live with dignity.

That’s the kind of leadership I’m offering — focused on real solutions that work for the people of Beaches-East York.